by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
In the near future, 80,000 students will wake up attending a new school — and not just in name.
Monday, the board of directors of Florida Community College at Jacksonville approved a name change that will see the school become Florida State College. Immediately after the approval, legislation was filed in Tallahassee that seeks formal approval of the name change.
“The intent is to operate as Florida State College starting this summer,” said Dr. Steven Wallace, president of the school.
Wallace said the idea was proposed about six months ago with a list of 40 potential new names. That list was pared to three.
In addition to a name change, Wallace and his board are in the process or revamping the way the school educates its students. In addition to adding 3-5 bachelor’s degrees each year, Wallace plans to also incorporate a curriculum that will assure the school’s graduates are ready to step into the workforce and contribute.
“We will work with employers to analyze the demands,” said Wallace, adding the school wants to create legitimate employment opportunities for its graduates. “Unemployed with a bachelor’s degree is still unemployed.
“The needs will evolve from year-to-year and we will continue being responsive to those needs. This is not ego driven or institutional globalization.”
The announcement came at the school’s Cecil Field campus in a packed auditorium that included school administrators, students, area business leaders and the school’s campus presidents. Two hours later, Florida State College opened its Florida State Aerospace Resource Center.
Board chair Mac McGehee said he was 6 years old when the school was started and talked about the role technology has played — and did play — in the growth of the school as well as Monday’s announcement.
“It’s well known the school uses cutting-edge technology,” he said, noting the live announcement was being made via microphone, something he called old-fashioned technology. “At the same time, this announcement is going out to 1,100 friends via Facebook and Twitter. Unless you are cutting-edge, you tend to be left behind. And, that’s one of the benefits of this institution. There is no better time than now for the college to grasp this courageous opportunity.”
Board member Jim McCollum credits Wallace for having the vision to take the school to the next level.
“With any exceptional organization, you have defining moments,” said McCollum. “I think the community of Northeast Florida will look back on today and this announcement as truly a defining moment and an exceptional opportunity.
“This defining moment is based on the ability and true vision of Dr. Wallace. This did not happen overnight and this did not happen by chance.”
McCollum said the key to Florida State College’s success is its ability to accept all applicants, something the state’s universities aren’t able to do due to a variety of reasons.
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